Breaking In: What It Really Takes to Thrive in Publishing with Christine Hung

What does it take to reshape an industry from the inside out? In this in-person episode of Big Asian Energy, John sits down with Christine Hung, Executive Director of Marketing at Vintage Books (Penguin Random House) and interim director of People of Color in Publishing. From growing up in Minnesota to working on campaigns for literary icons like James Baldwin and Toni Morrison, Christine shares how her journey has been quietly powered by advocacy, storytelling, and community. They dive deep into the unspoken realities of publishing—who gets in, who gets left out, and why representation isn’t just about who’s on the page, but who’s in the room. With humor, heart, and plenty of honesty, Christine reflects on identity, negotiation, diversity in publishing, and why she’d love to teach a class on financial literacy. What You’ll Learn: Why representation—both on the page and behind the scenes—matters more than ever How financial privilege and gatekeeping shape who gets to work in publishing What it really means to advocate for inclusion from inside the system Why curiosity, connection, and negotiation are essential tools for career growth How we can reimagine publishing to be more transparent, equitable, and inclusive Connect with Christine and POC in Publishing! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pocpub/ Website: https://www.pocinpublishing.com/